Santa Rosa, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- City Code Ch. 9-32 (ORD-2023-016)
- Applies to
- All ~9,000 parcels in WUIFA
- Clearance radius
- 100 ft (5/30/100 zones per PRC 4291)
- Mulch within 30 ft
- Restricted; gorilla hair/combustible mulch removed
- Invasive removal
- Scotch broom, French broom, certain Bay
- Vegetation deadline
- January 1, 2025
- Mulch deadline
- July 1, 2025
- Inspection cycle
- Every 3 years per parcel
Summary
Santa Rosa's Hazardous Vegetation and Fuels Management Ordinance (ORD-2023-016, City Code Ch. 9-32) requires defensible space on every property in the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (about 9,000 parcels), with specific tree-limbing, hazardous-vegetation removal, and a 5-foot ember-resistant zone. Property owners faced a January 1, 2025 compliance deadline and July 1, 2025 mulch deadline.
The new ordinance requires property owners to maintain defensible space throughout the entire Wildland Urban Interface Area (WUI), to remove certain fire damaged dead trees, remove specific hazardous vegetation, and to limit specific mulch within 30 feet of structures. Defensible space shall be maintained in accordance with California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Section 1299.3 and Public Resources Code Section 4291 for all outbuildings within 100 feet of structures and all structures and attached decks within the WUIFA. The Ordinance requires the removal of Scotch Broom, French Broom, and some Bay within 30 feet of a right-of-way (roadways), within 30 feet of a property line, and within 100 feet of a structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
On December 12, 2023, the Santa Rosa City Council adopted Ordinance ORD-2023-016 (codified at City Code Chapter 9-32, Hazardous Vegetation and Fuels Management), establishing locally enforced defensible-space and fuel-management requirements across the entire Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (WUIFA): approximately 9,000 parcels covering Fountaingrove, Oakmont, Skyhawk, Bennett Valley, and other foothill neighborhoods. ' California PRC § 4291 itself requires 100 feet of defensible space from each side and the front and rear of a structure, with more intense fuel reductions between 5 and 30 feet and an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of the structure.
Santa Rosa's ordinance additionally requires removal of Scotch Broom, French Broom, and certain Bay trees within 30 feet of a right-of-way, within 30 feet of a property line, and within 100 feet of a structure. Mulch within 30 feet of structures is restricted (gorilla hair and certain combustible mulches must be removed). Property owners had until January 1, 2025 to perform vegetation/clearance work and until July 1, 2025 for mulch removal. The Fire Department inspects all WUIFA parcels once every three years on a rolling schedule (2025 Fountaingrove, 2026 Oakmont, 2027 Skyhawk/Bennett Valley).
Violations & Fines
If violations persist after a third inspection, property owners are issued a citation. The City may also enter the property and abate the hazard at the owner's expense: costs become a lien against the property under City Code Chapter 9-08 (Weeds and Rubbish) and Chapter 9-32. Continuing violations are separate misdemeanors under City Code § 18-44.110.4 ($1,000 max fine, six months max jail per offense). The Fire Chief has emergency-abatement authority under City Code § 9-08.120 to abate immediately and lien the property for costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the defensible-space rule apply to my home?
What are the three defensible space zones?
What invasive plants must I remove?
What kind of mulch is banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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